Millbury captures confidence builder

Friday

Entering yesterday’s game, the Woolies had won eight of the 10 meetings against Grafton High and they made it 9 of 11 with a 14-6 win over the host Indians in a Division 2 East game.

“No (there’s no secret), I just think our kids are excited to play in this game,” Woolies coach Matt Friedman said. “We’ve had a lot of talent and our kids have really played hard this game.”

The Woolies (7-4, 6-1) have a few days to prepare for their playoff game against Tantasqua on Tuesday. Grafton finishes 5-6, 3-4.

Sophomore running back Brandon Richard scored the winning touchdown on a 20-yard draw up the middle with 6:27 left in the third quarter. He finished with 56 yards on seven carries, while catching four passes for 40 yards.

“This win is huge,” said Richard, “it got our confidence up and I think we’ll be ready for next week.”

Millbury started the scoring on its second possession.

Starting at Grafton’s 24 following a 39-yard punt return by Stefan Forsberg (4 catches, 57 yards), senior quarterback Bucky Richards led a three-play drive which culminated with a 14-yard touchdown strike to Forsberg which took just 1 minute and 24 seconds.

Richards threw for 133 yards on 9-of-18 passing. He also ran for 16 yards on 5 carries.

“It always feels good to win on Thanksgiving, it makes the turkey taste better,” Richards said.

Friedman had plenty of praise for one of the top quarterbacks in Central Mass.

“Bucky’s been (having good games) for the past three years as a starter,” the coach said. “Nothing that Bucky does is shocking because of his experience and his preparation.”

Grafton closed within 7-6 on a Dylan Riggieri 9-yard TD rush with 5:41 left in the second quarter.

Riggieri finished with 79 yards on 12 carries. However, his fumble in the third quarter led to Richard’s score.

“We felt like we were close to breaking them,” Friedman said. “They were bringing the pressure and, luckily, we were able to break our rushes into the secondary.”

Grafton had a chance to tie the game with under two minutes left.

The Indians marched from their own 6 to Millbury’s 22 before Chris Boulette intercepted a pass over the middle.